blue ribbon No 1 The Pursuit of Happyness

The Pursuit of Happyness [DVD] (2006) [2007]

 

 

A heartwarming tale that portrays a father's (played by Will Smith) unmeasuarable devotion to his family and in particular to his little son. He has sole custody after his wife leaves. It is based on the true-life story of Chris Gardner, a San Francisco salesman who struggled from the despair of homelessness to eventually becoming a successful businessman. A positive image of fatherhood and a reminder of the lengths dads will go to in the interests of their children.

 

The Pursuit of Happyness [DVD] (2006) [2007]

 

blue ribbon No 2 Life is Beautiful

Life Is Beautiful [DVD] (1997) "La vita è bella" (original title)

 

Guido, played by Roberto Benigni, is determined to preserve his young son's life and innocence in the backdrop of a WWII Nazi concentration camp by convincing him that they are participating in an elaborate contest to win a tank. It portrays a father's determination to protect his son at all costs.

A masterful depiction of the unconditional love that can exist between father and son.

 

 

Life Is Beautiful [DVD] (1997) "La vita è bella" (original title)

 

blue ribbon No 3 Taken

Taken (Extended Harder Cut) [DVD] [2008]

 

 

Liam Neeson at his ice-cool intense best, plays a retired CIA agent who goes to Europe to find his daughter who has been kidnapped while on a trip to Paris. His message to the kidnappers is simple:

 

'I don't know who you are, but if you don't let my dayghter go, I will find you and I will kill you.'

 

A high-octane fast-paced action-packed thriller.

 

Taken (Extended Harder Cut) [DVD] [2008]

 

blue ribbon No 4 Somewhere

Somewhere [DVD] (2010)

 

Sofia Coppola's award-winning Somewhere gives us a glimpse of a father-daughter relationship. The simplicity of enjoying each other's company when Johnny Marko's, played by Stephen Dorff, 11-year-old Clio is with him while this Hollywood star's ex-wife is away.

 

 

Somewhere [DVD] (2010)

 

blue ribbon No 5 Kramer v Kramer

Kramer vs. Kramer [DVD] [1979]

 

 

Almost 40 years after its release, Kramer v Kramer is still of relevance to couples and their children going through relationship break ups and divorce today. It weaves a poweful story of heartache, love and self-involvement.

The custody battle for their young son brings out superb performances in both Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep.

It provides several snapshots of the sometimes conflicting aspects of fatherhood.

 

Kramer vs. Kramer [DVD] [1979]

 

blue ribbon No 6 Ransom

Ransom [DVD] [1997]

 

"Give me back my son!"...

Mel Gibson's character's message to his son's kidnappers is simple and clear. An edge-of-your-seat thriller that sees this father locked in a battle of wits, trying to outmanoeuvre the kidnappers in a high-risk attempt to save his son's life.

 

 

Ransom [DVD] [1997]

 

blue ribbon No 7 John Q

John Q [DVD] [2002]

 

 

John Q Archibald's son needs a heart transplant after collapsing at a baseball game or he will die. Through a series of mishaps and fine print, he is not covered by insurance and the hospital refuses to operate. 

In steps dad...goes on emotional instinctual auto-pilot and takes over the hospital emergengy room, refuses to give in until his son's life is saved.

"I am not gonna bury my son, my son is going to bury me."

 

 

John Q [DVD] [2002]

 

blue ribbon No 8 Boyz 'N the Hood

Boyz N The Hood [DVD]

 

Laurence Fishbourne plays a divorced father who is involved in his son's life although they live apart. Set in South Central LA in the late 80s early 90s, Tre's father tries to steer him through his difficult teenage years with some hard-nosed wisdom and knowledge.

Exceptional drama about friendship in difficult situations but also a father's guidence of his son with a firm but fair hand.

 

 

 

Boyz N The Hood [DVD]

 

 

blue ribbon No 9 To Kill A Mocking Bird

To Kill A Mockingbird [DVD] [1962]

 

 

Gregory Peck gives a truly inspiring performance as the widower of two young children. So many paternal qualities on display throughout as this lawyer father leads from the front by example.

 

 

To Kill A Mockingbird [DVD] [1962]

 

 

blue ribbon No 10 Mrs Doubtfire

Mrs. Doubtfire [DVD] [1994]

 

After his wife wins custody of their children, Daniel Hillard (Robin Williams) passes himself off as a British nanny so that he can spend time with his kids.

Funny and full of antics as usual, William's character also vividly portrays the anxiety and sadness that many unmarried, separated or divorced fathers experience when not allowed to see their kids.

 

 

Mrs. Doubtfire [DVD] [1994]